New Springs

[tinman7]

Do I need to ream the brass bushing to make the shackles fit? They seem to spread when I slide them and I can't put the back plate on. these are the front springs from Snyder's.

[Simonpie]

If the pin slides through on the bench and doesn't on the car, reaming won't fix it. If the shackle fits on the spring OK but the back plate won't fit (assuming it fit on the bench) then you're loading the shackle. You shouldn't load the shackle until the plate is in place. Work your spreader until the shackle moves freely, then the plate should slide on.
Again, make sure it works while loose on the bench first. Working under the car with preload on a part is no place to work out a fitment problem.

[tinman7]

The shackle fits the spring perch but not the spring bushing. the old shackles seem to be better made. The new shackles fit the perch and spring but when I try to put the back plate on it won't fit they seem to spread out.

[100IH]

There were some posts on spring shackle bushings about 8-10 months ago. Talk to your supplier, they should know. I think that the bushings that came with the kit were N-G But the ones sold separately were OK. All of the spring eye bushings I have ever seen in 50 years have been a soft steel and not brass.

[J Franklin]

Why are the shackles being replaced?

[tinman7]

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The new spring bushings are bronze. Think the old shackles are still good but I bought a back up in case these were no good. The old shackles won't slide into the bronze bushing but will go into the perch bushing which I replaced.

[J Franklin]

Measure both the old and new shackles and use the best ones. If you need to ream any bushings go ahead and do that. You can't have the shackles binding at all. In the front it can cause shimmy. Are you replacing the front , back, or both? Take all the tension off the spring when installing the shackles as previously mentioned. On the front you can put a block of wood between the axle and spring and let some weight down until the bushings are lined up enough to slide the shackle into place. The rear spring will need a spreader or maybe some precise ingenuity. Let us know how it goes.

[tinman7]

Thanks, I'm just doing the front spring. Waiting for a reamer.Thought this was going to be easy!

[J Franklin]

Sometimes I use my brake cyl hone if I only need to clean something up a bit. For small holes I use a dowel with a slot cut to accept a sandpaper flap.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"Maybe" the spring eye BORE is TOO BIG???
Bill Guessing?

[tinman7]

Well got my spring on! Purchased a drill/reamer from Brattons and it did the trick. I just had to do the spring side the brass bushing was to small, a few passes and the shackle went right in!